Sunday, February 15, 2015

Eight women in Queensland cabinet

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a "mix of experience and fresh faces" in her 14-person ministry following the party's first Caucus meeting.

At a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Ms Palaszcuk announced her cabinet would feature eight women, including Indigenous MP Leeanne Enoch.

All 44 Labor MPs met at Parliament House to discuss the composition of the party's newer, slimmer ministry.

During the election campaign, Labor promised to cut the number of ministers from 19 to 14, and have just one assistant minister, compared to the Liberal National Party's (LNP) 12.

They claimed the move would save $23 million over three years.

Ashgrove MP Kate Jones, who dethroned former premier Campbell Newman at the election, was named Minister for Education; Tourism, Major Events and Small Business and Minister for the Commonwealth Games.

Dr Anthony Lynham, who won a by-election last year, was named Minister for State Development and Natural Resources and Mines.

Redcliffe MP Yvette D'Ath, who also won a by-election last year, was made the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, as well as Minister for Training and Skills.

Earlier today, Ms Palaszczuk was greeted with a round of applause as she made her way into the Caucus meeting at Parliament House, flanked by her Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Treasurer Curtis Pitt.

"Well done, everyone," Ms Palaszczuk said to her gathered MPs.

"I think back three years ago there were seven us of us ... look now.

"We have climbed Mount Everest ... but having climbed Mount Everest there is now an enormous amount of responsibility that needs to be placed on each and every caucus member sitting here today.

"That's the responsibility of standing up for your constituents each and every day, not to be silent, but to represent them and fight for them every step of the way."

Ms Palaszczuk said her first act as Premier was to put "a clear stop to any work to do with asset sales".